WHY SHOULD YOU READ THIS INFORMATION AND WHO IS THE AUTHOR?
Any one who has ever been through any "drama" realizes that life's no joke. We start off with one intention and end up "many" miles away. Any one who has ever faced court trials, imprisonment, or bouts with law enforcement can agree. Most of us have been betrayed by love, friends, family and others. So really, what does any book about Jesus have to offer you or me? If you don't like a lot of talk (smoke and mirrors) then you will greatly appreciate this manual and its author (me).
I'm not going to lead you anywhere. I'm going to show you the facts in black and white. I'm confident that most people will realize that the facts are in their favor. Did you know that Jesus came to Earth for sinners like you and me (Matthew 9:10-11)?
I need to tell you something before I briefly explain my prison witnessing background.
It is essential that you look up all the Bible scriptures listed in this manual. I will be using the King James Version. A parent usually wants their child to reflect their personality in some way. When we read God's Word, it pleases Him (Psalm 119:105). It is also essential that you vocally speak (out loud) what you are reading and learning. God's Angels are drawn to those who speak God's Word out loud (Psalm 103:20; Luke 22:42-43).
There may be times when you can't read out loud. Just try to speak God's Word out into the atmosphere. God's Word is your Sword against everything (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:11-12; John 1:1).
I'm Gary Colin. I am the Pastor of the Lighter In Jesus Ministry. In the early 1990's I began this ministry as the Coming Again Ministry (C.A.M). C.A.M started out as a pen pal and prison ministry.
I am also the Author of "Bible Symbolism What It Means To Your Salvation". Much of my work is voluntary. I make no income on this godly work. I also host a public access and radio show.
Our life can be stressful and stormy . Jesus has the ability to guide us through any storm that we experience (Matthew 14:24-33).
The most important thing you need to realize is that it's not about yesterday. It's not about what you did or who you are. The sooner we realize that it's all about Jesus, the sooner we can experience God's Victories in life (John 3:16).
This manuscript will teach you why Jesus is so important to life. This manuscript will also show you how to correctly pray to God, praise Him and worship Him. You will begin to see how valuable you are to God and just how powerful the Bible is (Hebrews 4:11-12). You will change causing your life to change. Your friends and relatives (loved ones) will be affected.
QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION SECTION
1) Question: Who did Jesus come to Earth to save (Matthew 9:10-11)?
Answer: Sinners like you and me.
2) Question: What happened when Jesus prayed out loud (Luke 22:42-43)?
Answer: An Angel appeared to respond Jesus' request.
3) Question: How do Angels respond to God's Word spoken out loud (Psalm 103:20)?
Answer: Angels hearken to God's Voice. God's Voice is His Word (John 1:1).
4) How did Jesus handle the Storm (Matthew 14:24-33)?
Answer: Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm. He took control of things.
5) How does God feel about the bad things that we've done (Isaiah 1:18-19)?
Answer: When we accept Jesus God will "clean us up (make the scarlet sin white)" and give us the good of the land.
SECTION ONE: WHO WAS JESUS AND HOW CAN YOU BENEFIT FROM HIM
LIFE! Any inmate serving Life doesn't want to hear that word. Any person going through life problems feels the same way. The Bible informs us that Jesus improved life whenever He entered a situation.
Someone might interrupt me with such comments: How do we know the Bible is true? How do we know who Jesus is?
I'm not a "smoke and mirror" type person. Let's be honest with each other. No matter how tough life is, we each made decisions. Whatever decisions we made landed us where we are. We've all made wrong decisions.
You and I will begin to see just who Jesus really is by reading the Bible. God gives His Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost) to whoever commits to Bible reading. The Holy Spirit will convict you of your need for Jesus and His identity (the Son of God-John 3:1-16; John 14:26; Acts 1:8).
We have to do it God's Way (John 14:6-7). No other way will work (Proverbs 12:15). As you read the Bible the Holy Ghost will teach you. You will no longer question Jesus' validity. This is why it's so important that you research all Bible scriptures (1 John 4:1).
The Bible teaches us that God created Adam and Eve. They were the human parents of our human race. Adam was the human son of God (Genesis 1:26-31). Adam and Eve sinned and disobeyed God (Genesis 3:1-15).
The sin of Adam and Eve fell upon the entire human race (Romans 5:12).
It was Jesus Christ who created everything (John 1:1-4). YAHWEH (Jehovah-Psalm 83:18) is Father God. Jesus is the Son of God (John 3:16). The Holy Ghost is the Third Person of this Godhead (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9). Father God is a Just and Holy God. Father God determined that the Son of God must come to Earth as a human. God sent Jesus to Earth to die a sinner's death and remove Adam's sin. Adam was a perfect man and thus another perfect man was needed to remove this sin (Romans 6:23; John 3:16).
Jesus came to Earth to die for your sins, my sins and all other humans sins. All humans born in sin are now "saved" by obeying the pre-Jesus YAHWEH (Jehovah) or believing on Jesus (John 3:16). I want you to say the Sinner's Prayer. It's also called the Born Again Prayer. Jesus comes into your heart and life when you say this prayer. You may or may not feel anything, but He's there. With God, it is never about your feelings. It's all about trusting in His Bible, His Love for you, and His Savior-Son Jesus Christ (Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 13:5-6; John 3:16; Matthew 28:18-20).
You might be saying that you don't understand the Sinner's Prayer (Born Again Prayer) or that you are not ready. Please keep this in mind. It's my responsibility as a Christian teacher to teach you God's Way. God's Way is Jesus (John 14:6-7). We've learned that Adam brought sin upon all humankind and Jesus' Crucifixion removed Adam's sin off of believing humans. Crucifixion means to be executed on a Cross.
The Bible says that anyone who believes on Jesus (John 3:16) and Confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior will be Saved (Romans 10:9-13). Please be sure to read, pray and think pray about every scripture. That way the Holy Spirit will lead you to God's decision and you won't be deceived by any other reasoning (Matthew 24:4; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:11-12).
So begin training, or I should say "re training" yourself now. God is always Right and He gave us the Holy Bible. The Holy Ghost will use your Bible readings and prayer to renew, transform, and conform your mind to the "mind of Christ" (Romans 12:1-3; Hebrews 4:11-12).
There is another important reason to ask Jesus into your life. Jesus told his followers that Satan and evil spirits would bring death and problems to Earth. These devil and demons hate Christians. They hate anything which belongs to God & Christ (Luke 22:31; Luke 10:17-20; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 4:1-10; Job 1:8-12).
Anyone who hears about Jesus becomes a target of the Devil. If that person does not sincerely commit to Jesus, the Devil will steal them away from Jesus (Matthew 13:19-22). The more you have Jesus in your life, the less power Satan and any evil will have concerning you (Matthew 17:18). Satan and evil brings much bad news. This is why our world is greatly troubled. We must remember that Jesus is Bigger than any situation or thing. Jesus is God (John 20:28).
So let's say the Sinner's Prayer (also called the Born Again Prayer). "Jesus I know that you died for my sins. I know that you rose on the third day. Jesus I need your help to overcome my sins. Please come into my life as my Lord and Savior". You should say this prayer now. If you choose to say the prayer later, you can use your own words. Just try to stick as close to the request as possible.
Some people actually feel their spirit connect with God's Spirit after saying the Sinner's Prayer. Whether you feel anything or not don't worry. Just trust God. We always must trust God's Integrity. It's not about how or what we feel. It's about God's promise to Save anyone who believes and confesses Jesus (Romans 10:13; John 17:17).
It's also advised that you study the four Gospels and the Psalms. In fact try to study and learn the entire Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). You also need to find a Bible believing Church. This manual won't spend much time explaining Satan and his army (Revelation 12:1-12). They are invisible. They are real "bad news" but they are not Bigger than Jesus (Matthew 4:10). I teach students to be very aware of Evil but don't fear it (Proverbs 29:25). The more you (or I) focus on God's spiritual things you will better Stand against Satan's evil domain (Ephesians 6:11-18; Galatians 5:22-25).
Anyone in bad areas will see more of Satan (Evil). God is aware of this (Matthew 10:16). In trying circumstances we must do our best to grow with God. We take comfort that God is merciful and forgiving. He does not expect humans to be perfect (1 John 1:7-10).
There's another reason to ask Jesus into your life and heart. YAHWEH commanded that animals be killed and the blood cause atonement. These blood sacrifices pointed to the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:24; Genesis 4:3-5; Matthew 26:26-28). When you ask Jesus into your heart and life, you are then covered (protected) by His Precious Blood (1 Peter 1:19; Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus' Blood is a token (sign) to God's enemies that He will personally avenge actions against you (Exodus 12:13; Psalm 86:17). So be sure to say the Sinner's Prayer and ask Jesus into your life and heart.
QUESTIONS FOR SECTION ONE
1) Question: HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE BIBLE OR JESUS IS TRUE?
Answer: The only way to know the Bible is true is to read it. We also have to pray and ask God for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will show us the Truth of Jesus and God's Word (John 17:17).
2) Question: What did Adam and Jesus have in common?
Answer: Adam and Jesus were both God's Sons.
3) Question: What did Adam bring upon all human creation?
Answer: Adam brought sin upon the entire human. The Bible tells us that all are dying in Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22).
4) Question: How did Jesus save believing (John 3:16) humans from sin?
Answer: Jesus gave up his body and blood to atone for Adam and humans' sins.
5) Question: Why should humans say the Sinner's (Born Again) prayer?
Answer: The Bible tells us that we must confess and believe in Jesus for salvation.
6) Question: Give 3 Benefits of asking Jesus to come into your heart and life?
Answer:
1) Jesus comes into our life and all our sins are forgiven and forgotten (1 John 1:7-8; Isaiah 1:18).
2) Jesus will then be a Strong Tower against Satan and Evil (Proverbs 18:10).
3) We are then covered by Jesus' Precious Blood. Our enemies will now contend with God.
SECTION TWO: SPIRITUAL WARFARE FOR ALL CHRISTIANS
Jesus and the Bible make it perfectly clear that all Christians must be prepared for spiritual warfare (Matthew 10:8; Luke 10:17-22). Satan and his army do come to "take" what belongs to God (Matthew 13:19-23; Job 1:8-12; Isaiah 14: 12-15). The Bible warns Christians not to be afraid of any opposition (Proverbs 29:25; John 14:1). God is a Man of War (Exodus 15:3).
Christians have Heavenly Angels which fight against Satan and his army (Luke 15:7; Daniel 10:4-12; Revelation 12:1-12). Christians are commanded to resist temptation, evil, and the Devil (Matthew 6:13; James 4:7-8). When you and I are spiritually growing with God, Satan and evil will have to flee (James 4:7-8). The Bible tells Christians to cultivate the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26) and to put on the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18).
Let's examine what those things are:
The Fruit Of God's Holy Spiritual
1) Love-With the help of the Holy Ghost you will learn how to love yourself, love others, and forgive others who have offended you (Matthew 6:9-13). We must forgive. God won't forgive us if we don't forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15; John 3:16).
2) Joy-If this life has hurt, offended you, or harmed you in any way Just Let It Go. Forgive and Forget and start smiling again. It's time to give people, places, God and Church a chance (or another chance if applicable).
3) Peace-Ask God for the Holy Ghost and the Peace of God. This Peace passes any human reasoning or emotions. This peace also comes with God's Wisdom (Philippians 4:6-7).
4) Longsuffering-You need to read the Bible Book of Job. God may allow you to suffer for an extended period of time. God expects you to remain joyful, trusting in God, loving others, and positive.
5) Gentleness-You must become caring, considerate, and sensitive to others.
6) Faith-Faith is the ability to fully believe the invisible God Whom you can't see (2 Corinthians 5:7; Proverbs 3:5-6).
7) Meekness-Meekness means that you prefer to go "last" in line (Matthew 19:30). You don't mind not being known or honored.
8) Goodness-You must become a morally good person. Jesus taught us that even our thoughts convict us of sin (Matthew 5:27-30).
9) Temperance-You must be a peaceable person. You balance opposing sides.
Now let's examine the Whole Armor of God
1) Loins girt with Truth-We must love and obey God's Truth (John 4:24; John 17:17). Only the Holy Ghost can teach us this Truth.
2) Breastplate of Righteous-We must love what God loves and hate what God hates (Psalm 97:10). God's Righteousness is directly related to the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25-33).
3) Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel-Always be ready to teach others about Jesus Christ and Salvation.
4) Shield of Faith-When we have strong faith in God, our spiritual defense will be strengthened.
5) Helmet of Salvation-We protect our thinking (head) by focusing on Jesus and His
kingdom.
6) Sword of the Spirit-Read, Study, and Learn your Bible. No one can do it for you.
7) Prayer and Supplication To God Always-Supplication is really asking God for things while prayer is just reciting a prayer.
8) In the Spirit-This refers to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-9).
9) Watching and caring about the Saints-you must learn to love other people.
10) Persevering Prayers for the Saints-God does not always answer concerns speedily. We often will be in need of patience (Hebrews 10:36).
You have to make up your mind and heart early that you will serve God no matter what "evil" befalls you. This evil is spiritual warfare and is probably from Satan the Devil. The Fruit of God's Spirit and the Armor of God will help you gain victory over Evil. The Bible tells us that Christians always have victory (thanks to Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 2:14).
Try to replace as much as your thinking and visual views with Christian things and Prayer for God's help. Your mind, thoughts and heart (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Romans 12:1-5) are all connected to the Deep (Psalm 64:6). David's sinful thinking and desires (Psalm 119:64) caused him to be trapped in the Deep (Psalm 69:1-14) with Demonic Princes (Psalm 119:161; Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12) that persecuted him (Psalm 119:161). Apostle Paul admitted he had a thinking problem (Romans 7:13-21). Paul's thinking "sin" led to being buffeted by Evil (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
QUESTIONS FOR SECTION TWO
1) Question: What must every Christian be prepared for?
Answer: Spiritual Warfare.
2) Question: Who are the Opposing Teams of this warfare?
Answer: God and Jesus versus Satan and Satan's army.
3) Question: What are the main "tools" needed to cultivate spirituality?
Answer:
1) Strong desire to obey God
2) Prayer
3) The Bible
4) The Holy Ghost
5) Honesty With God
6) Appreciating God's Mercy
4) Question: Explain how your thinking can be dangerous?
Answer: Sinful thinking connects us to the Deep. David and Paul both suffered due to sinful thinking.
SECTION THREE: PLEASING GOD LEADS TO GREAT BLESSING
Jim was the role model for the local Church. All of a sudden, Jim was gone. He left and never came back. No one believed he'd be the one to "give up". Sally became "Born Again" at age
6. She served God "flawlessly" until College.
The second month in College, Sally canceled her Church membership and said that "Born Again" was just a "catch phrase" and didn't mean anything. She totally rejected her previous 17 years of Christian Association!
Please understand that you will have "good" times and "bad" times in your Christian walk. You may want to give up or God may be disciplining you. God disciplines all whom He loves (Hebrews 12:5-6). The key is not to give up. When God appears to hide His face from you (Isaiah 45:15) you must continue to believe in His Love (1 John 4:8).
God's love will bring Him back to you (John 3:16). You have just got to patiently wait on the Lord and ensure that you are obeying Him (Psalm 27:14; Psalm 37:34; Proverbs 20:22). If and when you do "sin" attempt to quickly return to God (Psalm Chapter 51).
Jesus could not disobey God. God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God (John 17:21). Jesus' love for Father God was too great for sin. We also must learn what God loves and learn to love it also (Psalm 97:10).
I guarantee whoever develops the "son/daughter to Father" love that Jesus had will not abandon the Father.
That's the reason why David never abandoned YAHWEH. David had great sins and was greatly disciplined. Yet David always blessed the LORD (Psalm 34:1-4). King David wrote much of the book of Psalms. This book tells us what God loves and hates. We can use the Psalms to grow in God and Christ. Make sure you do the things you're about to learn before voicing your problems or asking anything from God (Philippians 4:6-7).
Learning To Love What God Loves Will Draw God Closer To Us. God Loves:
1) Praise & Adulation (Psalm 33:2)-Always Praise God. Before you ask God for anything be sure to Praise Him, Bless Him, Glorify Him, Thank Him, and Magnify His Name. You should do these things constantly during the day/night. Be sure to Praise Jesus/God at Church and in Public (Psalm 133:1). God blesses those who Praise Him.
2) Sing loud and from the heart to God (Exodus 15:21)-God loves when you praise Him in public (Church) and in your home. Yes. You can have private worship times with God also.
3) Dance to God (Psalm 149:3)-Just try to get up and move around to Praise God (especially in Church).
4) Fast-The Bible calls failing to eat afflicting one's self or fasting. If you need medication or food then try fasting after you take those things. You may be able to fast for several hours after taking your medications. You can fast from 1 day to 7 days or more. Your decision is between you and God. God encourages us to "afflict" ourselves this way as Jesus was afflicted for us. It's wise to fast whenever we need Deliverance or special help from God (Isaiah 58:5-14; Mark 9:28-29; Psalm 69:10).
5) Cry Out To God-Many men feel that "crying" or "crying out" is feminine. God will allow you to be totally beat down until you Cry Out. Jesus Cry Out after his torture and then died (Matthew 27:50). God especially responds to people who Cry Out (just as a Mother responds to her wailing baby) (Psalm 69:3; Isaiah 12:6).
6) Plead the Blood and then Let It God-Don't waste time worrying about your sins. God has forgiven you through Jesus' Blood (1 John 1:7-10; Romans 5:9).
7) Read Psalm 112 out loud and apply it to yourself. Psalm 112 is about the Blessing and Wealth God will give to the righteous person. Jesus' Blood Justifies all Believers AS Righteous (Romans 5:9).
8) Rebuke Evil (Matthew 17:18; Luke 10:17-20)
9) Bind Evil (Matthew 18:18)
10) Loose Heavenly Angels To Help You (Matthew 18:18; Acts 12:1-17).
11) If You Need Agreement Prayers Use The Prayer Line 1-888-868-2497
12) God Will Help You Win (Hebrews 13:5-6; Isaiah 54:17; 1 John 4:4)
13) The Pastor's Oil Can Deliver You From Your Sin(s) (James 5:11-18).
14) Be sure to help the poor, imprisoned, and homeless (Isaiah 58:6-7).
15) Pay Your Tithes & Offerings-Regulary Attend Church (Malachi Chapters 3 & 4)
Having read this entire manuscript, regularly prayed while studying it, researching every scripture, and allowing the Holy Ghost to train your mind you should now know:
1) The Personality, Character, and expectations of Father God
2) The Importance Of Jesus To Christians
3) Your Partnership with the Holy Ghost
4) How Jesus' Blood Makes You One With God/Jesus (John 17:21)
5) How Evil Can Be Defeated By Relying On God
6 ) How attending Church and helping others is essential to God answering your prayers
7) How to approach God correctly during your sins
8) How to move God's Heart to Answer Your Prayers as David did
How To Say Prayers That Move God's Heart To Bless You
1) Begin by Praising, Blessing, Adulating, and Glorifying God. Spend minutes Lifting God Up and Putting Him on High
2) Always praise God above your problems. Never place your concerns or Evil's attacks above God's Greatness.
3) After you praise God begin to pray about other things and/or make your requests.
4) Clearly state what you need from God and why you need it.
5) Always ask God to forgive you of your sins. Never feel like you don't need to ask for forgiveness.
6) Praise and Adulate God again before ending your prayer.
7) End your Prayer in the Name of Jesus (John 16:23) and in the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:19).
God will make Christians wait for prayers answered. God may allow Evil or problems to plague you. The Christian life is not always easy. Yet there is no Love like God's Love, Jesus' Love and the Holy Spirit's Love. The Godhead Loves you and is always with you. They would never allow you to fall or be moved (Hebrews 13:5-6; Psalm 55:22; John 3:16; Read All Of Romans Chapter 8).
This completes Section Three . Be sure to read everything, study all the Bible Scriptures, pray about everything here, listen to how the Holy Ghost directs you, and ensure that you do what pleases God. If you do these things then you will develop the same God-love King David developed.
You will be blessed by God and truly Free (John 8:30-36).
QUESTIONS FOR SECTION THREE
Question 1: What did Sally and John have in common?
Answer: They both gave up on serving God.
Question 2: What are 2 reasons why you Christian walk becomes "bad" or challenging?
Answer:
A) Life may be challenging you to give up
If I can help you in any way getting a Bible or finding a Church please contact me. If you have studied all the Bible scriptures in this manual you have learned how God thinks. God gave you the Bible to know how He thinks. You now have Jesus Christ to lighten your future (John 8: 1-30; Rev 1:20).
B) God may be disciplining you in some way
Question 3: What should you do when God seems to "hide" His face from you?
Answer: You and I must continue to obey God, trust in God, worship God, and seek His love and mercy. If we are sincere and persistent the God of Love will return to us and shine His love upon us.@
Question 4: List the things that God loves that we all need to be doing?
Answer: Adulation, worship, honor, praise, singing, blessings, and anything that magnifies Him and places Him on High.
Question 5: Why is fasting and crying out to God important?
The Bible calls fasting "afflicting" of our souls. Christ was also afflicted. Apostle Paul told us that we must deny ourselves to please God. Fasting is a good way to get God's deliverance of a hard problem. Crying out shows passionate love and trust in God.
Question 6: What must we do before we ask God to help us?
Answer: We must praise Him, magnify Him, and be humble.
Question 7: How specific should you be when you pray to God?
Answer: Very specific.
Question 8: Why should you also ask God for forgiveness of your own sins?
Answer: God will not forgive your sins if you have not forgiven the sins of others (Matthew 6:13-15).
Question 9: Why would a loving God allow problems to plague you?
Answer: God allowed His own Son to suffer brutal punishments and abuses. God's Greatness is seen in our sufferings (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This concludes the "Jesus: Your Past, Present & Future" manuscript.
This artcle can be freely edited and utilized as long as credit is given to its author (Gary Colin).
Read more articles by Gary Colin or search for articles on the same topic or others.
